WASHINGTON — The Credit Union Legislative Action Council of CUNA has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on credit union friends in trouble this primary election season.

Incumbent Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), who has been a long-time credit union supporter, is taking some hits in his primary this election. CULAC has spent nearly $120,000 as of July 31 on direct mailings for his campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission. The funds are recorded as independent expenditures because they are not coordinated with the candidate and are a way for political action committees to contribute more than the $5,000 cap each on primary and general elections.

Additionally, CULAC has put more than $150,000 into the primary campaign of Colorado Republican Jeff Crank, who is running for the seat of his former boss Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) who is vacating the seat; Hefley is endorsing Crank. More than $100,000 went to television and radio ads while another $43,000 is going toward direct mailings FEC reports show.